New Milford becoming home to several new businesses

Includes Candlewood Brewing, Chipotle, Jersey Mike’s, A Taste of Rio and Yokahama

NEW MILFORD — Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the town is welcoming a plethora of new businesses to its neighborhoods including a brewery, Chipotle and several medical offices.

Although 12 local establishments shut down during the pandemic, 21 new businesses have been added or are opening in the coming weeks and months, said Karen Pollard, economic development director.

Hometown Liquors, Bad Dream Brewing, The Makery and a Dunkin’ Donuts were among several of the businesses to close their doors.

But among those to open are Candlewood Brewing, Chipotle, Jersey Mike’s, A Taste of Rio and Yokahama, in addition to an early child care center and Tesla charging station,

Mayor Pete Bass said.

Many of the new storefronts that have opened or are opening reside along Danbury Road, Bank Street and Litchfield Crossings.

Pollard said New Milford was able to take advantage of several factors during these uncertain times, which contributed to its growing business environment.

Residents were willing to spend their money locally and stayed home or in town more often due to remote work, she said. The influx of people coming from other, more urban areas helped too, Pollard said.

“Many, many businesses in New Milford adapted their business the best they could,” she said. “Any financial resources that we had or expended in that way, to help businesses

adapt.”

Although more businesses are opening in town, the New Milford economy still faces some challenges, Pollard said.

“Not every business was able to pivot and that’s where we had some weakness in the economy,” she said.

Town leaders often discuss how they can keep businesses struggling in distress going, while welcoming new ones, she said.

“The more we can be engaged with that business community, the better they’re going to be able to survive,” Pollard said. “We still do have months in front of us before we will be feeling that we’ve turned the corner... We’ve really tried to help all businesses through this the best we can and we’re constantly striving to do more.”

Coming soon

Here are the details on some of the coming businesses.

Taste of Rio is opening at 12 Danbury Road and is currently renovating the space.

Another storage facility is being considered for Danbury Road.

Jersey Mike’s and Chipotle at Litchfield Crossings are preparing to open in a couple of weeks or so, Pollard said.

The dialysis center opening at Litchfield Crossings applied for a permit on Jan. 19, and its plans are being reviewed by the building department.

A pharmacy set to open at the retail pads of the former Danbury Dodge on Route 202 has not yet started construction.

Bass teased that there are more to come.

“I will have a few more to announce in the next few weeks,” he said in an email. “There is another larger business that is coming to New Milford but they have asked that we not talk about it until they disclose.”